Imagine a world where 007 isn’t as cool as you’d think. Or a land
where 999 doesn’t set the alarm bells ringing. Welcome to the
world of credit references. A world where your score is between
000 and 700, or even 1000 - and the higher it is the better.
From credit card applications to car loans, our credit file can
have a big impact on our every day lives. But what do you know
about yours and what can you do if it’s holding you back? We
asked the Financial Ombudsman Service – the free service that
sorts out money problems – for some tips on what to look out
for.

14-16

Check it out! - To tackle your credit score you need to find out

what it is from one of the main agencies, Experian, Callcredit or
Equifax. You can get hold of your file for a nominal fee (around
£2). Or, for a monthly fee, you can get regular updates on
changes to your ‘credit worthiness and score’. Most of the credit
reference agencies offer a free trial but make sure you know
when the trial ends. Giving your credit file the once over gives
you the chance to spot any mistakes that need correcting.

10-11
20-21

Direct Debits - The most common way to get a black mark on

your credit file is to miss a payment – whether it’s on your credit
card or your mobile phone bill. Those missed payments stay
on your record for years. Always make sure you have enough
money in your account to cover any payments due. If you
think you’ll struggle to make a payment, speak to the business
straight away.

Old Credit Cards - If you’ve got old credit cards that you

36-37

inside...

never use, tell the lender you want to close the account and
cut the card up so the number is unreadable. Not only is this
therapeutic, it keeps your credit file clear of old accounts.

6-7

Portugal ...
Two of the most traditional and interesting regions
of the country.

Other People’s Problems - If your partner has had a few credit
hiccups along the way, it could have an impact on your ability to
get credit. If you want to separate another person’s credit score
from your own, ask the credit reference agency to add a “notice
of disassociation”. This will mean their financial flaws shouldn’t
have an impact on you.

8-9

Robinsons Holidays...
Affordable peace of mind.

How To Correct Things - Even things like not being on the
electoral roll to being can have an impact on your credit file.
If you do have a problem, for example you missed a payment
because you were made redundant, you can add a “notice
of correctionto your credit report to explain things. Anyone
searching your report will see the note and take account of
it when you apply for credit. Look out for accounts being
registered to the wrong address or anything that looks
unfamiliar. If there’s a problem, write to the lender involved and
ask it to correct the mistake. If it won’t, get in touch with the
ombudsman who will try to help you get it sorted.

14-16 Rick Stein ...
In search of the perfect curry.

If you do spot something out of the ordinary on your credit
file and you’re not able to sort it out with the credit reference
agency or lender, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be
able to help. Just call on 0300 123 9 123 or have a look at
www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
4

10-11 Robert Lindsay...
Talks about the Northwest Premier of
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Social media
shrinks the
world
When I began my career it was
with a three-ton Remington
typewriter that deafened the
street, now I can find friends
in Louisiana with the flick of a
finger.

Graham Smith
Twitter Column

Social media has shrunk the world, technology is
advancing at such a pace that it is difficult to keep pace
with the latest developments and new inventions that
were once the stuff of science fiction are an everyday
occurrence.
But at what cost is all this in terms of progress? Sales of
printed books have plummeted as the world spends an
increasing portion of its life on computers, tablets and
mobile phones and I worry sometimes that there is a
danger of losing the power of joined up thought. Recently
I was reading a piece sent to me on the Internet and half a
dozen of the sentences written didn’t even begin with the
standard capital letter. Worrying.
I know people who are closing their Facebook accounts
now because they have almost taken over their lives, and
I have to say that on Twitter some of the most inane facts
and comments are creeping in now. Do you really need to
say, "Goodnight tweeps”? Just turn the thing off!
Neither is the net and social media the province of the
young, as it was. Increasing numbers of older people are
using the social interaction on offer and in many cases it
can provide a relief for loneliness and replace a social life
lost due to immobility or loss of a partner, so no bad thing
there.

Drives you mad
Motorists are often an easy target but I notice that
recently some have been getting away with blue murder.
Did you read about the idiot who was caught driving with
his hands behind his head? The clot was doing 62mph
on a major road in a large four-wheel drive and argues in
court that he was in full control of the car. Fortunately the
court didn’t agree and banned him for a year and imposed
a hefty fine and community service order. But what
possesses these people?
There are also cases of motorists still driving with
over 30 and sometimes 40 points on their licences
because magistrates have shown leniency towards their
circumstances. Why? If you’ve clocked up that amount
of points you’re quite simply not fit to drive a vehicle and
I have serious doubts whether you should be using a
wheelbarrow without stabilisers.

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Do you seal your envelopes? Apparently whether you
should or not has been the subject of a major and no
doubt costly operation. Many older people labour under
the misapprehension that you can send an unsealed
envelope with a second class stamp on and it will be
delivered first class. Err, no.
The younger generation have other ideas. One Internet
observation reads, “ Whilst I do seal my envelopes the
first thing that came to mind when I saw the headline was
the story that went round when I was at school and later
repeated on a viral email about cockroach eggs being
laid on the glue and when you lick it if you get a paper cut
they can hatch in your lip.”
A quick Google showed this story is still on the urban
legends websites but it wouldn’t surprise me if that was
the reason for people around early 30s.

Health and Safety
nonsense
Yes I know I’ve twittered about this before but here goes
again.
Our village church clock was
stopped for several months
recently because the Health
and Safety ogres decreed
that the ladder used to
reach the mechanism was
too short. This was despite
it having been used for
years by a six-foot plus expoliceman. Consequently it
was twenty past three in Haworth for eight months until a
grant was raised to provide a longer ladder!
You couldn’t make it up could you? The bell ringers
swung on ropes every Monday night during that period
but the poor chap couldn’t wind the clock up because
some mentally challenged twerp had nothing better to do
than condemn the ladder.
Have these people nothing better to do? How come one
of them was lurking in Haworth Church clock tower to see
the ladder in the first place?
And he was back at Christmas to chuck Santa Claus out of
the boiler room because there might have been asbestos!
Poor chap had to cuddle customers in a gazebo outside
the building. Talk about no room at the inn, and the
donkey had to wear a coat.
These chaps would have been a riot in Bethlehem.
There’s have been no stable accommodation, too
draughty and get those sheep of the bedclothes. You
cannot bring your camel in here and stop swinging that
foul smelling stuff under the baby’s nose….and has that
chap with the wings got a Civil Aviation licence? The mind
boggles.

5

50 Plus Travel

sponsored by
By Noel Josephides,
Managing Director of
Sunvil www.sunvil.co.uk

to a considerable degree upon this
wonderful natural product. Portugal is
the largest cork exporter in the world.
NASA uses Alentejo cork to insulate
the cones of its space capsules and to
protect them from heat damage on reentry to the earth’s atmosphere. And
cork is not only for wine bottles – you
can buy cork jewellery, cork umbrellas,
cork i-Pad covers - in fact, just about
anything and everything can these
days be manufactured from cork.

The Alentejo and the
Centro Region of Portugal
Visitors to Portugal who fly into
Lisbon Airport tend either to
head south to the Algarve or
north to Estoril, Cascais, the city
of Porto and the Douro Region.
In doing so, they inadvertently
miss out on two of the most
traditional and interesting
regions of the country. Both
the Centro region - immediately
north of Lisbon - and the
Alentejo region - between Lisbon
and the Algarve - are areas that
tend to be driven through quickly
yet, together, they make up half
of Portugal, and both deserve to
be visited in their own right.
The Alentejo was known as the bread
basket of Portugal and it boasts some
of the country’s tastiest dishes. The
countryside is made up of wide,
sweeping plains interspersed with
medieval hilltop villages topped by
dramatic castles. In spring the region
is awash with colour - the fields are
full of flowers of red, yellow, white
6

Evora, just a 75-minute drive inland
from Lisbon on uncrowded roads,
is the capital of the Alentejo (which
means below the Tejo, or Tagus, river).
It is steeped in history, yet really alive
and buzzing courtesy of the university
within its ancient walls. It was the seat
of the Kings of Portugal in the 15th and
16th centuries and is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in its entirety.
The Atlantic coastline, south of Lisbon,
is like that of the Algarve 50 years
ago and much of it is protected by
law. Coastal villages like Porto Covo
and Vila Nova de Milfontes are firm
favourites yet have escaped mass
development and still have great
character; they are ideal for a lazy
summer holiday and perhaps a little
gentle coastal walking on a wellmarked pathway, the Rota Vicentina,
if that appeals. The coast is a few
degrees cooler than inland, often
with a pleasant breeze in the height
of summer. Beaches are many and
seldom crowded, even in the peak of
the season.

and purple or blue hues. The Alentejo
produces 46% of Portugal’s excellent
wine but has a mere 6% of its
population. It is quiet, it is uncrowded
and it is beautiful.
In the summer it’s very hot - in fact,
the hottest place in Portugal. Around
May/June, depending on the weather,
they harvest the cork trees; this is the
region of the cork oak tree and the
economy of the Alentejo still depends

So why have so few people heard of
this region? It’s a very rural area with
some excellent accommodation of
character but local politics has meant
an initial lack of interest in tourism,
making it a latecomer to the travel
game. This very fact will stand it in
good stead – it has been able to learn
from mistakes made elsewhere.
The north of the Alentejo region is
next-door to Centro, the central region
of Portugal or, as I prefer to call it, the

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That permission can be refused
because, within the ancient walls, the
Dean wields as much power as the
President of the Republic.
Needless to say, Coimbra is a must but
there are also other interesting ancient
cities to explore, like Aveiro on the
coast and Viseu, the gateway to the
Estrela National Park. Each area has
its own local cuisine and specialities.
Some of the most famous and
delicious Portuguese cheeses come
from the Estrela region.

Heart of Portugal. This is an area that
stretches from its Atlantic coastline,
with long beaches stretching for miles,
into a mountainous region with some
historic fortified villages and castles
along the border with Spain that
defended Portugal from invasion in the
Middle Ages. The most impressive are
Almeida, Castelo Rodrigo, Monsanto,
Sortelha, Piodao and Idanha-A-Velha.
These castles and villages conjure
up images of knights in armour, of
damsels in distress and heroic deeds.
Legends abound in this area which,
in turn, was overrun by the Romans,
Moors and Spanish. Tales are
recounted of epic battles and ancient
rituals, and religious festivals are still
very much part of daily life. The Serra
da Estrela national park is snow bound
in winter and, in the summer, ideal for
walks with breathtaking views across
forested landscapes.
The capital of the area is Coimbra,
recently awarded UNESCO World
Heritage status. This is a thriving,
vibrant city, with a population of

2.3 million, and it is the seat of the
oldest university in Portugal, dating
from 1290. Since then, it’s been at
the centre of Portuguese intellectual
life. A visit to the university is a must
and the 18th century Baroque library
is one of many priceless historical
monuments. There are three exquisite
gilded chambers housing 300,000
leather-bound texts behind imposing
wooden doors, probably some 30 feet
tall. The precious books in this library
are safeguarded from insect damage
by resident bats, which sleep behind
the serried rows of ancient tomes
by day and eat insects by night; the
mahogany reading tables are covered
in cloth overnight to protect them
from bat excrement. I would visit
Portugal simply to re-visit the library
- it is so fascinating and so totally
extravagant.
The university is nicknamed the
‘Little Vatican’ as it is protected by
ancient charter and even the police
have to request permission from the
Dean before they enter the campus.

These two provinces, the Centro/
Heart of Portugal and the Alentejo,
together make ideal fly-drive holiday
combinations. There is some stunning
accommodation, too, with two of my
personal favourite hotels found in the
adjacent regions. The Casa da Insua
is a wonderful 18th century Baroque
confection, located on the outskirts
of Viseu in Centro, where you can try
your hand at making cheese in the
dairy if you wish, afterwards exploring
an excellent in-house museum and art
gallery. In the Alentejo, just outside
Evora, is the Covento do Espinheiro,
a historic monument once lived in by
the Kings of Portugal - a superlative
hotel that manages to be friendly
while offering the best of cuisine and
comfort. The manager’s tour of the
hotel and a wine tasting in the former
monastery’s water cistern is not to be
missed.
The true character of Portugal lies very
much within these two regions and yet
so many of us simply drive through
on our way south or north. I urge you
to spend a little time exploring them;
you’ll enjoy a relaxing and inspiring
taste of the real Portugal.

Vist www.sunvil.co.uk for further
information about holidays to
this region or call 0208 568 4499.

Silver Travel Advisor is a travel review, information and advice website exclusively for over 50’s, packed
with articles, suggestions, tips and ideas. For free and independent travel advice as well as reviews
about holidays, hotels, restaurants and days out, please visit www.silvertraveladvisor.com or email
service@silvertraveladvisor.com. It’s free to register as a member of Silver Travel Advisor, and you
could win a fabulous holiday prize.

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7

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DIRTY
ROTTEN
SCOUNDRELS
Robert Lindsay had been out
walking his dogs and taking
the opportunity to learn his
lines for his latest show.
The fact that it’s the musical version of the 1988 hit film Dirty
Rotten Scoundrels, set to premiere in Manchester before
going into the West End, was exciting for the 63 year-old
actor. But not because he was reprising the role Michael
Caine took onscreen as the suave Riviera conman Lawrence
Jameson whose life is suddenly disrupted by Steve Martin’s
character, the anarchic Freddy Benson.
“I’ve never seen the film,” he admits, “but it’s a wonderful
show. The script is incredibly funny and the score by
Yazbek (award-winner David Yazbek) is amazing – the man’s
a genius.”
The show did run for a time on Broadway where it won
awards, “but it seemed to fade away,” adds Lindsay. “This is
a totally different show, and there’s a fantastic buzz about it
already. I think the plan long-term may be for it to go back
to Broadway.”
All of this is a long way from the very first time the Great
British Public became aware of young Robert Lindsay when
he played a Cockney layabout in the ITV series Get Some In!
However, it was when he headed up the Tooting Popular
Front as likeable but inept urban guerrilla Wolfie Smith in
the hit comedy TV series Citizen Smith that the public really
noticed him.
This ran for three years, from 1977 to 1980, and established
the actor firmly in viewers’ consciousness. He felt pretty
comfortable in the role as he’d come from a council estate
in Ilkeston, Derbyshire before graduating from the Royal
Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), and had admittedly leftwing views.
An early flexibility and desire to take on other, different
roles – “as well as wanting to play posh people,” he quickly
points out – steered him towards more serious productions.
He played Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing in the BBC’s

10

Shakespeare series, and then moved up to Manchester to
play Edmund in a Granada TV version of King Lear alongside
Sir Laurence Olivier.
He happily admits that his first love, though, is musicals and
he famously played the role of Bill Snibson in the acclaimed
1984 London revival of Me and My Girl. This role not only
won him an Olivier Award but, when it later transferred to
Broadway, a Tony Award as well.
“I find musicals easier because you’ve always got the
music, it’s familiar,” states Lindsay.
He has, however, also enjoyed plenty of film roles.
Interestingly, he was at the same place making a different
film (Strike It Rich with Mollie Ringwald and Sir John Gielgud)
where Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was being filmed.
“I met Steve Martin one day – we’d met previously when
I’d been in the States and had dinner together – and he told
me about the film he was making,” explains Lindsay. “He
seemed to have some reservations about the script and I
got the impression that they were adding to it quite a bit
themselves.”
Television has proved a remarkable showcase for Lindsay’s
talents over the years. Although he believes that he wanted
to get away from his roots for a long time – “I lost my way

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

The Generation Game with Bruce Forsyth – have three sons
and he also has a daughter from his relationship with actress
Diana Weston.
It’s plain he doesn’t like being away from his home and
family. “But sometimes they have to understand that you
have to be, you’re doing it for them,” he states.
For the most part, his children don’t like roles that take him
away from them, or his being acknowledged as an actor
rather than “just Dad” when he’s with them. “When I was
in Hornblower and picking them up from school it was
different. Normally, they don’t want me to walk with them
and disown me, but suddenly I was cool!”
Ask about the highlights of his career and he swiftly points to
the work with Alan Bleasdale and Me and My Girl. “I suppose
Citizen Smith, The Entertainer at the Old Vic and Cyrano de
Bergerac at the Haymarket were also special,” he adds.
He’s still regularly on TV and had just recorded Have I Got
News For You as programme presenter. “You have to watch
Mr Hislop and Mr Merton, though,” he says light-heartedly.
“They’re very quick but I think they like actors because
they understand timing and not hogging the lines.”

“I find musicals easier
because you’ve
always got the music,
it’s familiar,”
a bit in my 30s,” he says – he particularly enjoyed working
with gritty Northern writer Alan Bleasdale. Lindsay was in his
dark comedy serial G.B.H. (for which Lindsay won a BAFTA)
as well as another Bleasdale play, Jake’s Progress with Julie
Walters, and recalls both experiences with genuine affection.
He played another posh character when he took on the role
of Captain Pellew in the long-running and very successful
series of Hornblower with Ioan Gruffudd as the young
midshipman of the title.
Was this largely sea-going adventure a fairly physical
experience for Lindsay? “Not so much for me, but definitely
for Ioan,” he laughs. “What was interesting was that it was
the first time I had played a father character.”
His longest running role was also as a father: as dentist Ben
Harper in the popular BBC sitcom My Family – this ran for 11
years and still surfaces on Sky channels. “Zoe (Wannamaker)
and I had a great time making that,” he states.
Lindsay himself is very much a family man. He and second
wife Rosemarie Ford – she was a dancer and a presenter on

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Is there any TV he’d like to do, like Downton Abbey? “No,” he
states, “that’s not my bag.
“But I’ve just done a cameo role in Atlantis as the father
of Icarus – that was good fun. It’s a very well made series
and the boys there were great. My children were also very
impressed!”
* Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is at Manchester Opera House
from February 12 to 22, 2014, in Aylesbury Waterside
Theatre from February 26 to March 1 and then at the Savoy
Theatre, London from March 10. To find out more go to
www.scoundrelswestend.com

HEALTH & FITNESS
to get you from point A to point B. Try
taking your bike out on the weekend
and cycling for a couple of miles or even
changing your travel habits and using
your bike to get to work rather than a car
or bus.
Dancing
With the popularity of BBC show Strictly
Come Dancing, ballroom dancing is now
a much loved past time for many people,
and is also excellent for getting in shape
as it exercises the whole body. There are
hundreds of dances schools across the
country offering classes for beginners
up to the professional level. You could
take this up with your partner or friend,
or even go alone and meet new people.
Dancing is a skill that will come in handy
at many social occasions, so learn to
dance and show off to your friends.
Simple Exercises

New Year, New You!
By Kelly Spencer

The New Year; a time when
thousands of us make a resolution
to lose weight, stay healthy and
do more exercise. But putting too
much pressure on yourself can
lead to giving up on your goal
and going back to old habits.
However, doing a little bit as
often as possible can make a big
difference, and there are simple
activities to help you achieve this.
Eating Well
If you’re thinking about going on a diet,
don’t try one of these complicated have
nothing but juice for a week fads that
are currently all the rage. The best way
of losing weight and feeling healthier
is to cut out the ‘rubbish’ from your
diet. Eating fewer snacks, sweets,
and junk food and adding fruit, nuts
and other nutritious foods instead will
automatically make you feel better.
Allowing yourself a ‘cheat day’ where
you can eat what you like will also help
you stay on track to reach your ideal
weight.
Swimming
Swimming is one of the best exercises
to do, and it’s fun as well. It has a
number of health benefits such as
lowering blood pressure and improving
joint movement in arthritis. There
are plenty of classes available to suit
everyone’s needs, including those for

12

older adults. Aqua Gym is one of these
and is on offer at most leisure centres,
where you do gentle exercising in the
water. Set aside an evening each week
to go and take part in a class. You’ll see
a big difference in yourself and make
some new friends at the same time.

There are plenty of other ways to stay in
shape in the New Year but the easiest is
to set aside a bit of time each day and do
some simple exercises at home. You can
do these morning, noon or night, while
watching the television. Something
as basic as a few stretches or even a
bit of yoga every day or so will soon
start showing differences. If you’d like
something a bit more tailored to you,
your local leisure centre or gym may
have a personal trainer programme, who
will assist you in deciding on the best
exercises to improve the areas you want,
in a safe and productive manner.

Walking
If you’re stuck for money but still want
to get out there and get fit, walking is
a great activity to take up. The brilliant
thing about it, is it’s free and you can
do it absolutely anywhere. Whether it’s
walking the dog or using your legs to
get to the shop, rather than jumping in
the car, there’s nothing better for you
than getting out into the fresh air. Head
to your local country park and see what
trails you can find, or see if they run any
guided walks. Many areas have their
own rambling or walking clubs; joining
one of these could keep you on track
and help you meet people with similar
interests. A scheme called Walking For
Health aims to get people active and
their walks can be located all over the
country on their website.
Cycling
Regular exercise can reduce stress
and depression and cycling is a low
impact activity, helping to keep you fit
and alert. Research shows that regular
cyclists have, on average, the health of
someone ten years younger. Not only is
it an activity you can do anywhere, it is
also a good solution to transport issues

Get Organised with
GM Wilson Solicitors
It is essential to plan ahead for the future
rather than leave things to chance and G
M Wilson Solicitors Ltd offer a range of
legal services that you should consider,
including measures to protect your
property against the possible payment
of care home fees, Lasting Powers
of Attorney, Wills and inheritance tax
planning.
Making a Wil is very important. Make
sure YOU are the one that decides where
your money and assets go. Making a
Will won’t kill you but it will reduce the
uncertainty for your family to know that
they are fulfilling YOUR wishes.

Do not put off until
tomorrow that which you
should do today.
For more information contact GM
Wilson Solicitors LTD on 01226 794140
or visit www.gmwilson.co.uk

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YOUR Will YOUR Way!!!
It is essential to plan ahead for the future rather than leave
things to chance and G M Wilson Solicitors Ltd offer a range of
legal services that you should consider, including measures
to protect your property against the possible payment of care
home fees, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Wills and inheritance
tax planning.
Protect your property. The thought of going into a care home
is a worry for most of us who naturally want to protect our family
home and other assets that we have worked so hard to acquire
to pass them on to our children. Full time care is expensive and
homes often have to be sold to fund it. We can offer comprehensive
advice and establish measures to help you protect your property,
either during your lifetime or for a couple by means of a simple
Will trust.
Consider a Lasting Power Of Attorney (LPA ). It is an unpalatable
thought to us all to consider that we might at some time be unable
to deal with our own property and finances, or make decisions
about our welfare and healthcare needs, either through ill health or
mental incapacity. An LPA is a legal document that gives you the
opportunity to appoint a person you trust to make these decisions
for you. There are two sorts of LPA, a Property and Affairs LPA
which covers decisions about your property and financial affairs
and a Personal Welfare LPA which covers decisions about
your health and wellbeing (and effectively replaces what was
commonly called the “Living Will”). If for whatever reason you
do need someone to deal with your affairs and there is no LPA in
place, then a relative or other close individual will have to make
an application to the Court of Protection on your behalf. This is
an extremely expensive and lengthy process and during this time

your finances can be severely damaged. Also, the Court appointed
person may not be the individual that you would have chosen to
appoint.

Make a Will. Nobody wants to contemplate their own mortality,
but it is a certainty that at some point we will all die. A Will is a
legal declaration of how you wish to dispose of your property,
assets and personal belongings following your death. It avoids
unnecessary arguments amongst family members that all too
often arise when a deceased person’s wishes are unclear and
so it saves time and expense. Writing a Will also allows you the
opportunity to reduce the amount of inheritance tax you pay, or
even eliminates it entirely. If you die without a Will, your estate will
pass in accordance with the “intestacy rules”. These rules set out
who is entitled to inherit and as you can imagine they are unlikely
to divide your assets in the way you would choose or even expect.
It is very quick and inexpensive to put a Will in place and gives you
and your family peace of mind.
G M Wilson Solicitors Ltd has over 40 years of experience in
the private client sector and we believe in the importance
of maintaining quality standards and personal service in a
friendly way at a realistic price.

gm wilson

SOLICITORS LTD

Contact us NOW and take control of your future. T: 01226 794140

TIME TO MAKE A WILL
If you should die without a Will
Whose pockets will your money fill?
The ones you truly want to have it,
Or someone else who will gladly grab it?
Make sure YOU are the one that decides where your money
and assets go. Making a Will won’t kill you but it will
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13

PRAWN FRITTERS WITH
CHUTNEY AND KACHUMBER
FROM THE ALLEN KITCHEN, KOLKATA
I couldn’t work out why these prawn cutlets were so delicious;
there seemed to be nothing to them, just a simple batter, a bit
of lemon, some onion rings and a bottle of mustard sauce.
But the very enthusiastic blogger from Calcutta called Kaniska
was keen to point out that this tiny little hole in the wall was
one of the most popular foodie spots in the city. They may
have put a secret ingredient in the batter, but I expect the
success lies in using chickpea flour and frying the battered
prawns in pure ghee. I consumed a few plates of them while
having a thoroughly enjoyable conversation about the almost
infinite possibilities of street food in that city. Later I woke up
in the middle of the night in my hotel with my head spinning,
thinking the pace of life was so frenetic that I was surely locked
into a madhouse, albeit with some of the tastiest food I’ve ever
found. This makes a quite soft batter, not a thick, crisp batter
like you’d get with fish and chips.
METHOD
To prepare the prawns, pull off the head and peel away the
shell, leaving the tail intact. Use a small, sharp knife to run
down the back of the prawns and pull out the black intestinal
tracts, if visible. Then use the knife to cut almost all the way
through the prawns and butterfly them open. Flatten them out
a little with the palm of your hand. Pat dry with kitchen towel.
For the batter, mix the flours and salt together, whisk in the
egg and enough of the water to give a smooth batter the
consistency of single cream.

SWEET AND TANGY POTATO SHREDS
Lilo chevda
This is a snack beloved by Gujaratis, a sweet and sour shredded spiced potato dish. The shredded potatoes are deep fried until
crisp, as are the lentils, cashew nuts and peanuts, but plenty of lime juice is sprinkled on just before you start eating so you get
this tantalizing mix of crisp bits and soft bits. There’s plenty of chilli in it, sweetness from the raisins and sugar, sharpness from
the lime juice, and a good sprinkling of salt too. Perfect balance in street food.

METHOD
Drain the chana dal and pat dry with kitchen
paper. Spread out on a tray lined with a
clean tea towel (or more kitchen paper)
and leave on one side. Soak the prepared
potatoes in salted water for 20 minutes.
Drain, use your hands to squeeze out any
excess moisture, then pat dry with kitchen
paper.
Two-thirds fill a large, deep-sided sturdy pan
with vegetable oil and place over a medium
heat. Test it’s hot enough by dropping in a piece of potato; it should sizzle and turn golden in about 20 seconds. (Or use
a deep-fat fryer heated to 180°C.) Deep-fry the potatoes in batches until crisp and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon
and drain on kitchen paper. Season with half a teaspoon of salt and set aside. Using the same oil, fry the chana dal in
batches for about 3–4 minutes, or until they rise to the surface and turn a shade darker. Drain on kitchen paper, and add
to the fried potatoes.
Heat a heavy-based frying pan over a low-medium heat. Add the cashew nuts or peanuts and fry for 3–5 minutes, stirring
occasionally, until lightly toasted. Add the sesame seeds and fennel seeds and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring all the time.
Remove from the heat and stir in the turmeric, followed by the sugar, half a teaspoon of salt, the chillies and the raisins,
then mix with the potatoes and lentils. Add plenty of lime juice to give a sweet-sour flavour (you may need to add more
sugar and salt at this stage to balance the flavour). Serve at room temperature in small bowls as a snack.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

15

FOOD & DRINK

MADRAS FISH CURRY OF SNAPPER,
TOMATO AND TAMARIND
I have written at some length in the main
introduction about finding this curry,
which I have nominated as my favourite.
I’ve used the same fish it was cooked
with on that day in Mamalla puram –
snapper – but in the UK I recommend
using any of the following: monkfish
fillet, because you get firm slices of
white, meaty fish; filleted bass, preferably
a large fish, because although you’ll get
softer flesh it has plenty of flavour; or
gurnard. I think more than anything else
that this dish typifies what I was saying
about really fresh fish not being ruined
by a spicy curry. I can still remember
the slightly oily flavour of the exquisite
snapper in that dish because fish oil,
when it’s perfectly fresh, is very nice
to eat. I always think oily fish goes well
with curry anyway, particularly with the
flavours of tomatoes, tamarind and curry
leaves.

SERVES 4 – 6

Method
Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan or karahi over a medium heat. When
hot, add the mustard seeds and fry for 30 seconds, then stir in the onion and
garlic and fry gently for about 10 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
Add the curry leaves, chilli powder, coriander and turmeric and fry for 2
minutes, then stir in the tomatoes, tamarind liquid, green chillies and salt and
simmer for about 10 minutes until rich and reduced. Add the fish, cook for a
further 5 minutes or until just cooked through, and serve with plain rice.

Escape into your own 16th
Century ivy-clad mansion
where peacocks roam the
gardens and your dreams
can become a reality in this
tranquil world.
Nestled in the rolling South Yorkshire
countryside,Whitley Hall is a haven where
century chic meets historical romance.
As you drive down a windy country lane
your breath is taken away as you turn into
the main driveway. It's like going back in
time, the 16th Century mansion is located
upon the banks of a river with beautiful
terraces, private gardens and opulent
woodlands surrounding it.

The perfect place for a romantic break,
wedding, civil ceremony, renewal of vows,
anniversaries, birthdays and funerals etc.
Talking of value for money,Whitley
Hall offer Secret Sundays, if two people
pre-book a three course restaurant
dinner you can stay over from £20.00
per person bed and breakfast on Sundays
throughout the year (based on two
people sharing).

Ladies...

“Let’s Do Lunch” menu is served Monday
to Saturday from 12noon – 2pm.You
can indulge a three course table d’hote
meal plus a glass of bubbly or elderflower
cordial for £14.50. Menus change weekly.

LET’S DO LUNCH
Indulge yourself with our Let’s Do Lunch offer which includes a glass of
bubbly or elderflower cordial with a three course lunch for £14.50 per person.
Double Let’s Do Loyalty points are now offered until the end of March – buy
four lunches and get one free!
www.retiredmagazines.co.uk
Served Monday to Saturday. Menus change weekly

It's one of those places you love to
recommend, but really you want to keep
it all to yourself! Don't miss out on this
beautiful exquisite venue, you will never
forget your time here.

GREAT GETAWAYS...
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast for only £99 per couple
per night throughout February and March*.
Dine in our two rosette restaurant and snooze in
one of our individually styled boutique bedrooms
*subject to availability

t: 0114 245 4444
e: info@whitleyhall.com

www.whitleyhall.com

85%
AA AWARDS 2009

17

OUT and ABOUT
Places to visit and things to do around
Sheffield and the surrounding area...
DAYS OUT

MUSIC

22nd Feb - 3 Mar 2014
ALICE IN WONDERLAND TRAIL

Saturday 8 Mar 2014
LIFE DRAWING SESSION

An English Heritage event...
Enter the magical world of Lewis Carroll
in this enchanting trail around the
gardens at Brodsworth Hall.

A limited range of materials are available
for each session. Cost: £7.50 full fee
and £5 concession. Tickets need to be
purchased in advance from the reception
at Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery.
11am-1pm or 2-4pm

There are six characters to find along
the paths that lead visitors through the
gardens. There’s a certificate prize for all
who complete the trail.
Times 10am-4pm. Suitable for Children.
Booking Not Necessary.
Brodsworth Hall and Gardens,
Brodsworth Doncaster South Yorkshire
DN5 7XJ

English Heritage Customer Services:
0870 333 1181

Sunday 2 Mar 2014
THE RAMBLERS GROUP WALK
Enjoy British wildlife on a Ramblers
group walk. Cannon Hall, Cawthorne
via Stockport - £9. At each destination
there are up to 4 walks on offer: A walk
- about 15 miles B walk- about 12 miles
C walk- about 10 miles D walk - about 7
miles. Members join these walks at no
extra cost to the very competitive price
of the coach ticket. Joining the led walks
is not compulsory, members can do
their own private walk at the destination.
Members doing their own private walks
must ensure to return to the coach at the
appointed time of departure. Members
unable to return to the coach at the
appointed departure time must contact
Brenda Parkinson on 07876076717 Seats
must be booked in advance not later
than the Monday before the event.
Most walks are intended primarily for
Ramblers’ Association members. Nonmembers are welcome to join us as
guests on two or three walks, though if
you walk with a group regularly you will
be expected to join the Ramblers.
The Ramblers group walk starting point..
Grid Ref: SE279076 South Yorkshire S75
4EH

Friday 14 Mar 2014
THE ART OF THE 1ST WORLD WAR
Lecture delivered by local Art Historian
Rachel Holland; a look at the art of the
1st World War, including the work of
the official war artists, and propaganda
posters.
10.30am - 12pm
Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery,
Chequer Road, Doncaster South
Yorkshire DN1 2AE

Contact telephone: 01302 734293

Doors open: 14:00
Doncaster Dome, Doncaster South
Yorkshire DN4 7PD

Contact telephone: 01472 349 222

Wednesday 5 Mar 2014
THE X FACTOR LIVE 2014
You’ve watched them perform on TV
and now you can see them LIVE on
tour. That’s right X Factor fans, our final
eight are coming to a stage near you in
February 2014 - and you can buy tickets
to see them TODAY. From Aberdeen to
Brighton, from Belfast to London and
this is your chance to catch Abi Alton,
Hannah Barrett, Luke Friend, Nicholas
McDonald, Rough Copy, Sam Callahan,
Tamera Foster and your AMAZING X
Factor 2013 winner, Sam Bailey singing
live and believe us, it’s going to be
HUGE! X Factor Live Tour Tickets are on
sale now at Gigantic. Doors open: 18:30
Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield South
Yorkshire S9 2DF

The Potting
Shed Cafe
Serving chef prepared food.

Open 7 days a week.
Pot House Hamlet
Silkstone, Barnsley,
South Yorkshire S75 4JU

Tel: 01226 792525

www.gigantic.com
18

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

FREE EN
TRY!

The 50+ Show

MANCHESTER
CENTRAL

Fri-Sat, 28-29 MAR 2014
9.30am to 4.30pm

guests A fantastic day out for everyone who loves life
PLUS Mystery
each day!
Meet a celebrity

espite being
within Sheffield's
border, the Strines
Inn could be a world
away. Nestled amongst
breathtaking moorland
scenery, it is one of the
local landmarks in the
Peak District National
Park.

Originally a manor house, it
was built in 1275 for the Worrall
family, although most of the
present day structure is 16th
Century. After becoming an Inn in
1771 when John Morton leased
the property from the Worrall's, it
got its name from an Olde English
www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

word meaning the meeting
of water, quite appropriate as
nowadays it overlooks the Strines
Reservoir.
In the height of Summer the Inn
attracts hundreds of visitors on a
daily basis. The glorious sunshine
and stunning views perfectly
compliment the excellent food
and drink available, with many
dishes being homemade.
The Strines Inn is also famous
for its numerous peacocks,
the previous Landlord having
introduced several pairs twenty
years ago, there are now over
thirty of them.

There is also accommodation
available for those people looking
to escape for a few days to relax.
All rooms have Four poster beds
and En-Suite facilities.

TOP TIPS: ART DECO
Niki Schäfer shares her tips on
creating an Art Deco look:
1. The incredibly glamorous Art Deco period spans from
1920 – 1939 and epitomises the opulence of inter-war Britain.
The period was characterised by modern, sleek designs
with a luxurious use of materials. The New York’s Chrysler
building, The Savoy and Sybil Colefax were icons of this era,
look to them for inspiration on a smaller scale!
2. The luxury and decadence was increasingly noticeable in
contrast to the austerity of the First World War. The use of
rare and exotic woods and materials such as ivory, shagreen
(imitation shark skin) and mother of pearl was familiar to this
era. Decorate using an excess of mirrors, satins and pale
leathers.
3. The Art Deco period was heavily influenced by
international style, so perhaps use lacquer as a finish on
furniture, a design style developed from China. The period
also admired enormously style icons of the era such as Eileen
Gray.

20

4. The era was nicknamed the ‘Cocktail Age’ so for true Art
Deco style track down walnut cocktail cabinets in a stepped
shape, symbolic of the Aztec pyramids that were also hugely
popular at the time.
5. Advances in technology moved towards a more
‘streamlined’ look. Every day objects such as radios became
streamlined, swayed by the aerodynamic shapes cut from
ocean liners and Zeppelins.
6. Choose fringed lighting and fitted furniture to incorporate
an Art Deco look into your home without creating an
overwhelming look. Try Tiger Moth Lighting for some
wonderful fringed metal lamps and pendants.
7. Search for cantilevered chairs made popular by Marcel
Breuer and Miles van Der Rohhe, who made the most of
technology advances fashioning original and modern styles
from new materials. The Barcelona Chair is another popular
design choice, still contemporary today and found in many
modern homes and offices.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

8. To truly emulate
the ‘elite’ style you
need to find the
original pieces.
The technology
advances spurred
the creation of
imitation products
made from cheap
materials, which
led to the eventual
end of the era.
9. Rugs were
hugely popular
throughout this
period. Search for
wild geometrical
shapes in a
spectrum of bold
colours to liven up
any room. Imitation
zebra and other
wild animal skins
are widely available
as fabrics nowadays, and if you’re feeling extra brave use
some flocked wallpaper in the same design.
10. If you live and breathe for Art Deco inspired design then
take a visit to La Maison de Verre in Paris, or slightly closer to
home stay at The Park Lane Hotel and dine in Claridges.

Make a Statement
After a busy Christmas, a few family gatherings and general
wear and tear, furniture can start to look a little drab and well
worn, especially upholstered pieces. But as the evenings
grow lighter you start to notice these things, but panic
not as it does not cost an arm and a leg to re-upholster
your favourite suite, chair, footstool or even headboard.
I discovered on my travels around Sheffield, Oakbrook
Upholstery owned by it’s founder Paul Allen who worked as a
senior upholsterer for 15 years prior.

oakbrook
UPHOLSTERY

Oakbrook Upholstery
was founded by Paul
Allen in 2005.
Paul is supported by a small
team of Senior Upholsterers
and Seamstresses that bring a
combined experience pool of
over 100 years.
Oakbrook prides itself in producing the highest quality
upholstery in the area whether it be re-upholstery or a new
bespoke piece.
New pieces are both high in quality and good value in price
when compared to mainstream high-street pieces.
Other than the emphasis on quality, Oakbrook, unusually
for most upholsterers, has a vast fabric library which reflects
the company’s passion for fabrics. This is also complimented
by a wallpaper library which has been built up over the last
seven years.

Paul is supported by a small team of senior upholsterers and
seamstresses that bring you a combined experience of over
100 years.

BB Quality Re-Upholstery

The team can advise you on bespoke upholstery/ reupholstery for sofas, chairs, stools and more. If you have
seen a particular style or piece that you like they can custom
make this to your particular specifications.

BB Made-to-Measure Curtains
& Blinds

The shop itself, based at Oakbrook Road (Nether Green) in
Sheffield is an Aladdin’s Cave of wallpaper, fabrics, paints
and trimmings to cater for all budgets. The team specialise
in renovating antique furniture as well as upholstery with
leather.

BB New Cushion Interiors &
Spring Repairs

Finally once you have re-upholstered your favourite piece,
the team will help you choose complimentary curtains and
blinds. I strongly recommend you pay a visit.

IN THE HOME
Colours in the living area are so
important and have a big impact on
the feel of the room and the mood
of the people within it. Painting a
room is a much quicker and cheaper
way of decorating because it is then
easier to change and redecorate
in the future, without the hassle of
removing and replacing wallpaper.
If you are looking for a warm and
energetic environment, try a red
or orange tone. This may not be
suitable for those wanting to relax
with the family as they are loud
colours, but if you are the type of
person who likes entertaining, then
the warmth will brighten up the vibe
of the room. Yellow is the perfect
warm colour for livening up your
space, but try to keep it to a feature
or accent wall. Too much of it can be
overpowering.
For those folk who want to feel laid
back and relaxed, a cooler blue or
green room might be more suitable.
Do be careful of the shades you pick
however. An icy blue may make
visitors feel unwelcome. A warmer
shade, such as turquoise, may give
the desired effect you want, but
make others feel more welcome as
well.
For a more sophisticated feel, stick
to neutral tones, whites and creams.
Not only do these provide a blank
canvas to incorporate furniture and
patterns, but allow the room to
become a peaceful setting, which
looks elegant and refined.

HOW COLOURS CAN
CHANGE A ROOM
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surprising how much the colours and fabrics in a room can
vastly improve and change the look of it. Picking a new colour for
the walls, or buying a new rug or carpet can mix up the style of
your home and make it look brand new.
22

Combinations of fabrics and patterns
are also hugely inspiring when it
comes to decorating and can create
a theme for your house that you may
wish to follow; from a cosy cottage
to a Tuscan villa. If your tastes cater
to soft pastels, floral fabrics and
rustic wood furnishings, then a
cottage style home may be your cup
of tea, where as finding wallpapers
with an old plaster texture, tapestry
style rugs and cushions with gold,
coppers and greens infused can give
the feel of Tuscany in your home.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

You may think that adding a splash
of colour to your home will get
expensive but that isn’t the case.
Paint is a much cheaper option than
wallpaper, but how about just repainting and wallpapering one wall
in a vibrant colour or pattern to add
some variation. If you can’t afford
a new sofa or lounge chair, find
some new fabric you like and get the
existing furniture reupholstered.
Wooden furniture is easy to
transform too. Take an old chair that
needs a make over, or buy a cheap
one from a second hand shop. All it
needs is sanding down and a coat
of paint, to fit whatever mood you
are going for in the room, and you
have a brand new piece of furniture.
The same can be done with tables,
cupboards, and fireplaces.

FINAL TIPS...
• Fabrics can easily change
up a room, don’t be afraid to
experiment.
• Be aware of light and colours.
Warmer light coming into
your house allows for cooler
colours. With colder light, try
a warmer colour.

Carpets are a highly important part
of a room. Many people prefer
plain, block colour materials on their
floors, which are great for flexibility
when designing and changing
styles. However they can make a
large room look empty. Going for a
patterned carpet might seem a bit
risky, but if the right one is selected,
it can make a big difference. Patterns
can create a focal point in a big
room if you feel like keeping the
furniture quite simple, but try and
avoid busy patterns in a small room
as this can make the space seem
closed in and cluttered.
Fabric texture is also important.
Kristen Schmitt says on Better
www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

Homes and Gardens that: “Texture
adds dimension to a room. It
appeals to our senses, both visual
and tactile, which makes the room
interesting.” Add some pillows
and cushions to your bed and
sofa; fluffy, ruffled, floral,tartan,
anything that takes your fancy.
Even a textured throw for the end
of the bed can provide a contrast in
a room. Bring in a patterned rug to
create a focal point and make small
rooms look larger. Round shapes in
a square room can also soften the
space. Don’t be afraid of contrasting
patterns and colours either, but
try not to go beyond three and
use samples to decide on the best
combinations.

• Something as simple as
adding a mirror can instantly
make a room look bigger.
• Patterns are good, but don’t
go overboard.
• Buy a signature piece of
furniture or rug you like and
base the colour scheme
around that.
• Bright ornaments and
furniture can look great in an
otherwise plain, white room.
• You don’t need a massive
income to completely change
your style.

23

specialists in traditional
& contemporary stoves
Cottage Fires of Wentworth has over
twenty years of experience.
Whether you are looking for a traditional or contemporary
wood burning stove, multi-fuel, gas or electric stove, with
many working models in our showrooms, we are confident that
you will find just the right solution to suit you and your home.

STOVES | RANGE COOKERS
FIRES | FIRE SURROUNDS
Cottage Fires take care of everything; from a home visit
surveying the location and chimney to ascertain very
importantly, that the size and specification of stove or fire
chosen is totally suitable for your home.

Handcrafted, superior
quality furniture for your
home or business.
Wentworth Furnitureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s craftsmanship extols the
timeless beauty of natural wood through several
ranges; from both traditional to contemporary styles
for your bedroom, kitchen, dining and living rooms,
and lounge and office alike. Wentworth furniture can
be customised to suit your desired size, wood and
finish, right down to the handles. Certain items can
be supplied unfinished if desired, along with the wax,
stains or oils of your choice for home completion.

WISH
AGAIN
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Exclusive
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BYOUNG
Designer Labels
AVOCA
Relaxed, independent shopping,
NOUGAT
for the many not the few! We stock an
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are exclusive to us in Sheffield.
OUI MOMENTS
YEST
Our brands are as diverse and interesting as our
customers. We aim to offer affordable, beautiful
COCO ROSE SHOES
clothes with a point of difference.
FENELLA
ACCESSORIES
The atmosphere is laid back but helpful - you are
welcome to browse without pressure - pay us a
visit, we are sure you will want to come back!!

10 YEARS IN BUSINESS
In 2003, Whittington Goddard Associates Limited set
out to provide impartial independent advice and a quality service
to its clients, thus ensuring them a stronger future.
They are committed to ensuring that every client,
whether corporate or personal, receives the level of
service they have the right to expect when trusting
them with their finances and future comfort.
Their highly-qualified team of advisers have years
of unrivalled experience and their knowledge and
service ethics are key to the provision of their
commitment to you.
Initial meetings are conducted, without charge, in
either the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home or at their office.

Whittington Goddard Associates Limited is authorised and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority.

MEET THE TEAM...
John has worked in Financial Services since 1978.
He became an Independent Financial Adviser in
1999, setting up Whittington Goddard Associates in
2003. John works as a Financial Planner providing
solutions for clients in all areas of Financial Services.
He specialises in Investment advice, At Retirement
Planning, Tax & Trust Planning and Inheritance Tax
Mitigation.

JOHN GODDARD
Richard’s career in Financial Services began in the late
1990’s following a period in the Armed Forces and
completion of a BA (Hons) Business Studies Degree.
After initially working for a regional Independent
Financial Adviser for several years, Richard set up
Whittington Goddard Associates along with fellow codirector John Goddard in 2003. Richard specialises in
at Retirement Planning, Investment Advice, Inheritance
Tax Mitigation and Tax Planning.
RICHARD WHITTINGTON
Steve has worked in Financial Services since 1994,
starting his career as a Home Service Representative
for Co-operative Insurance. He became an IFA in
2003 focusing mainly on the mortgage and protection
markets before joining Whittington Goddard in 2007.
Steve works as a Financial Planner specialising in all
areas of Financial Services, in particular, Investment
Advice, Retirement Planning, Protection and
Mortgages.
STEVE SHUTT

LEANNE LEE
Leanne has worked for Whittington
Goddard Associates since 2007. She
has worked within the Financial Services
industry since 2001, starting as a
Customer Service Adviser with Norwich
Union and then moving into the sales
branch until 2007.
MICHELLE STOREY
Michelle has worked in Financial Services
since 2004, starting as a Mortgage
Administrator and then progressing
to PA/Paraplanner later that year. She
joined Whittington Goddard Associates
at the beginning of August 2013 to work
alongside John Goddard and Richard
Whittington as full-time PA/Paraplanner.
KIRA BENNETT

Simon has worked in the Financial Services industry
since 2000. He began his career as a Financial
Adviser and Home Service Representative with the
Co-operative Insurance Society. He then became an
Independent Financial Adviser in January 2004, first
working as a Sole Trader before joining Whittington
Goddard Associates in June 2006. Simon specialises
in Investment Advice, Retirement Planning, Protection,
Mortgages and Equity Release.
SIMON TAYLOR
Angela has over twenty years’ experience advising
clients and over the last 15 years as a Specialist Elderly
Client adviser. The main areas Angela gives advice on
are Care Fees Planning, Investments, Equity Release
and Inheritance Tax Planning. Angela also provides
advice regarding benefits that might be claimed, such
as Attendance Allowance.

Kira has worked in the Financial Services
industry for 10 years, starting as an Office
Junior and progressing to Mortgage
Administrator. She joined Whittington
Goddard as an Administrator in August
2013.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
ABOUT US:
“Thanks for years of reliable and friendly
service with sound advice”
“Warm, friendly, efficient staff and good
advice”
A client of 12 years “Very happy with the
friendly service and very knowledgeable in
the information you provide”
“Why are we with you? The friendly
greetings at all times and the patience
always given to our concerns”

Planning For
The Future
Everyone should consider some
basic legal planning to make sure
that their families and loved ones
are protected in case of future
events which can affect anyone.
Here we consider the “essentials”
of making a Will, Lasting Power of
Attorney and Gift of Property into
Trust.
REASONS TO MAKE A WILL
Making a Will is important, particularly when you
realise that without a Will, the Government will decide
who will receive your money and possessions after
you die. Unfortunately this can cause many difficulties
for your surviving family and relatives at an already
distressing time. By making a Will you can help
alleviate additional pressures on your family.
The myth that ‘my wife will receive everything anyway’
is not true. Your estate would be shared out in
accordance with the ‘Statutory Legacy’ rules and your
wife may not receive the whole estate or even enough
to enable her to keep the matrimonial home. When
it comes to ‘common law husband or wife’, there is
no such thing. Only people who are legally married
or have formed a civil partnership will be classed as
husband, wife or civil partner and only they can enjoy
the benefits of automatically inheriting part of their
spouse’s estate. If you are not married you would have
to go to Court to claim part of the estate which will
come with the usual costs and expenses.
Children are another reason why it is important to
make a Will. If something was to happen to you
and your children were still minors or disabled, you
can appoint Guardians to look after them. It is also
important if you are married for a second time and
have children from a previous relationship. If you were
to die first and your estate was below the ‘Statutory
Legacy’ your whole estate would pass to your second
spouse and your children would have no absolute right
to anything.
28

If you are legally separated the ‘Statutory Legacy’ will
still apply until the divorce is finalised so if you want
your estate to pass to someone else then you must
make a Will.
You should have your Will prepared by an experienced
Lawyer who will make sure all the relevant points are
covered especially if your Will is complicated and Tax
Planning Advice may be required.

LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY
Most people know they should have a Will, but have
you considered what would happen if you were to
become unable to manage your own affairs during
your lifetime? Who would make difficult financial and
personal decisions on your behalf? You can protect
yourself by making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
The LPA is a legal document in which you can appoint
another person or persons as Attorney(s) to act on
your behalf in relation to your financial affairs and/or
personal welfare if you become unable to do so for
yourself. The LPA was introduced under the Mental
Capacity Act 2005 and must be registered with the
Court of Protection before it can be used. It is useful
if you are ill or in hospital or residential care when it is
difficult for you to look after your personal finances or
welfare. The LPA comes in two parts - one deals with
your financial affairs i.e. managing your Bank Accounts
and Investments and also selling your property if
required. The other part deals with your personal
welfare i.e. issues relating to your personal care and
where you should live and also giving or refusing
consent to certain medical treatment.
It is important to note that you can only make an LPA
if you have sufficient mental capacity and this has to
be confirmed by a Certificate Provider. In some cases
it may be necessary to obtain a Doctor’s opinion if
there is any doubt. It is also important to note that it
does not take away your independence as one of the
main principles of the Act is that capacity is decision
specific and Attorneys should assist people to make
their own decisions wherever possible. If you should
lose capacity without having an LPA in place then it
will be necessary for someone to apply to the Court of
Protection for authority to deal with your affairs which
www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

FINANCE
can be a very slow and expensive process.
An LPA is an important legal document which should
be properly prepared and explained to you by an
experienced Lawyer.

GIFT OF PROPERTY INTO
TRUST
Most people are concerned about the costs of long
term residential care. Currently if your assets exceed
ÂŁ23,250 including the value of your property then you
will be self funding and have to pay for the cost of your
care yourself.
The biggest concern for most people is that you may
have to sell your house to pay for the care. However
it is possible to avoid this by giving your property
away during your lifetime, usually to your children.
The gift however must be made in good time and not
simply with the intention of avoiding future care fees
otherwise it may be caught by the Local Authorityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
anti-avoidance measures.
You could simply make an outright gift to your children
but as you will probably wish to continue to live
in your property this could cause problems if you
were to fall out with them or they were to experience
matrimonial problems or bankruptcy. It could lead
to someone else making a claim against their share
of your property. Additionally, it could also cause
problems for your children as owning a share of a

second property could give rise to possible Capital
Gains Tax implications on the eventual sale of the
property.
We would therefore always recommend that a gift
of property should be a gift into Trust which would
protect you and your children from most of these
potential difficulties. The Trust would provide for you
to remain living in the property for as long as you wish
on the basis that you continue to be responsible for
all the outgoings as at present. The Trust can also
provide for the property to be sold and a replacement
property purchased for you to live in if you so wished.
When you no longer live in the property for whatever
reason, the Trust would come to an end and the
property could be sold with the proceeds divided
between your children.
In this way you would no longer be treated as the legal
owner of the property if you were to be assessed for
long-term care fees and also as you are occupying the
property which is held in trust this usually means that
main residence exemption from Capital Gains Tax can
be claimed although this is decided by the Revenue on
a case to case basis.

Obviously giving away your
property is a major decision and
is irrevocable which requires
specialist legal advice.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Everyone should consider some basic legal planning to make sure
their families and loved ones are protected in case of future events
which can affect anyone. Contact us to arrange a free consultation
about the "essentials" of making a Will, Lasting Power of Attorney
and Gift of Property into Trust.
There is no obligation and any work then carried out will be on a
fixed fee basis to be agreed in advance. We are happy to visit you at
home if more convenient.

Dental implants can be used to replace a
single lost tooth or many missing teeth.

•

A dental implant is a substitute for a
natural root.

•

Implants can be used to support crowns,
bridges or dentures.

•

Could you qualify to
have dental implants?
•

An implant is a small screw made of
titanium which bonds with the jaw bone.

If you have good general health then they
will certainly work for you.

•

•

It provides a stable foundation for
replacement teeth.

You should have a sufficient amount of
good quality bone.

•

Good oral hygiene is important.

•

Implants can help to preserve the
neighbouring teeth and bone structure.

•

•

Dental implants are stronger than natural
teeth.

Even if you’ve lost a significant amount of
bone in your jaws, you may still qualify as
a candidate for dental implants.

•

•

Dental implants have over 90% success
rates in long-term function.

You will be expected to answer detailed
questions concerning your medical
history and you will receive a complete
examination of your mouth and teeth.

What are the costs?

How can Implants
benefit you?
•

Research shows that in many cases
dental implants are stronger then natural
teeth.

•

They help to prevent bone loss.

•

Implants help you to appear younger and
healthier.

•

They can resolve the problem of pain
and discomfort caused by removable
dentures.

•

You can eat whatever you like.

•

Your ability to taste may improve.

•

You will have improved comfort, security,
and confidence.

•

Implants can provide a permanent
solution for missing teeth.

•

Shifting, slipping, and “chatter” due to
poorly fitting dentures is eliminated.

•

They allow you to speak naturally and
feel like yourself.

•

Dental implants are more affordable than
ever before.

•

The cost of dental implants is dependant
upon the individual case.

•

We will discuss the question of cost
in detail and help you make financial
arrangements.

•

There are a number of financing options
including 0% finance.

•

Implants can sometimes be covered at
least partially by insurance, depending on
your policy.

Which implant provider
we use and why:

Straumann is a pioneer and global leader
in implant dentistry, Straumann research
develop & manufacture dental implants,
instruments, prosthetics & tissue regeneration
products for use in tooth replacement.
Over 80 million Straumann dental implants
have been sold worldwide and it is one of the
most frequently used implant systems. With a
general guarantee of 10 years for Straumann
implants their own confidence speaks for
itself.

Implant Aftercare
At Churchfield Dental Centre we do everything
we can to provide successful implant
treatment for you. Before any implant is
placed we believe that for the best chance of
success your mouth and gums must be in the
best possible health.
Prior to placement we will arrange a hygiene
session with one of our hygiene therapists to
prepare your mouth for your new implants.
On the day of your implant placement
we go to great lengths to create a sterile
environment to reduce the risk of infection to
the implant site. We will provide you with a
healing and aftercare advice pack to help aid
the healing process once you are home.
Many people believe that once an implant is
placed successfully it is in for life. This can be
the case if your implant is looked after but an
implant can be lost the same way your natural
teeth can through gum disease.
With this in mind once your implant treatment
is complete we will be happy to book you
regular visits with out hygienists even if you
are a referral patient and have your own
dentist.

Making Life Easier
Keeping fit and healthy is an
important part of growing older
and staying mobile even more so.
Regular exercise and good diets
are essential to maintaining your
independence.
However, studies show around
2.45 million people in England
require help on a regular basis.
At Home
Mobility superstores situated around the country,
specialise in products to help people live

32

independently. They sell thousands of items to allow
you to feel comfortable at home.
Climbing the stairs is one task that becomes
increasingly difficult as we age. But not to worry, a stair
lift or extra hand rails can make this much easier. Fitted
to the wall of the staircase, they create a better grip
when climbing or allow you to sit and bypass the steps
altogether.
Bathing can become tricky too, especially with slippery
surfaces. However, bath lifts and safety rails have been
created to aid movement in the bathroom. These give
extra support when getting in and out of the bathtub,
by lowering and lifting you from the water, if this is
found to be most challenging.
Aquability can help you prevent problems before
they occur and enable you to stay independent for
longer. Sometimes a simple solution is all that is
needed to improve home safety, such as installing grab
bars or using a specially designed inflatable cushion to
get in and out of the bath.

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

As the UK’s leading bathing solutions provider
Aquability have been changing the lives of their
customers for over 15 years. Their mobility products
include walk- in baths, sit-down showers, powered
safety seats and more.

can travel wherever you like, without the assistance
of others. You may however have to register with the
DVLA.

Clark & Partners
Make Mobility Easy…

With a comprehensive product range that is constantly
updated and an expert team on hand to advise you,
Aquability can deliver the perfect solution to your
mobility needs, on any budget.

Local mobility specialists Clark & Partners Ltd have
been established for over 50 years, and as a result,
are a well-known and trusted name in mobility. They
supply everything from large mobility vehicles to
specialist footwear and smaller daily living aids such as
kettle tippers and grab rails to help make later life that
bit easier.

Visit www.aquability.com to find out more.
Specialist furniture stores also sell remote controlled
chairs and beds that move and adjust to allow sitting
up and lying down without any pain or problems.

There are 6 stores across South Yorkshire where
specialists are available to advise with regards to
access solutions, bathing, wheelchairs, powerchairs
and vehicle conversions. For those with more complex
needs, expert teams can help with larger projects such
as wet rooms, lifts and ceiling track hoists.
A full range of repair and maintenance services are
also available.

Out & About
Finding you have trouble walking can be a daunting
thing and can make leaving the house hard. Mobility
stores have a selection of walking aids and frames,
in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, fitted to the
individual. Wheelchairs can be purchased, but they are
accessible on the NHS, so look into your options.

Mobility scooters are a great invention too if you’re
wanting to get out and about. Although, they can be
pricey, they are worth the satisfaction of knowing you

NO
WORRIES!
Bath out - Shower in

FITTED IN JUST
ONE DAY!*
NO MESS! NO FUSS!
NO RE-TILING!

STRUGGLE TO GET IN & OUT OF YOUR OLD BATH?
Designed to fit in the same
space as your old bath, the
Shower Module’s unique
construction enables it to be
FITTED IN JUST ONE DAY*
with NO MESS, NO FUSS
and NO RE-TILING either!
●
●
●
●
●
●

BDS LDS RCS (Eng) MMedSci
Richard qualified from the University
of Sheffield in 1987, since when he has
undertaken extensive postgraduate
education, mainly in restorative dentistry.
In 2005 he completed the Certificate in Implant Dentistry
on the world renowned, eighteen-month, one-to-one
Implant Course at the University of Sheffield . In 2011
Richard completed his Master of Medical Science in
Dental Implantology.
Richard has undergone training from Europe’s top
clinicians in hard and soft tissue manipulation, involving
bone grafting and aesthetics. To date, he has successfully
placed and restored over 1000 implants and is an active
member of the Association of Dental Implantology.
Richard has also been a trainer dentist for the last twelve
years, and in recognition of his experience and abilities,
he has been made a mentor for Nobel Biocare.
Outside dentistry, when time allows, he enjoys going to
the gym, playing golf and since hanging up his boots,
likes to watch Rugby!

Implants
A dental implant is essentially a substitute for a natural
root, and commonly it is screw or cylinder shaped. Each
implant is placed into a socket carefully drilled at the
precise location of the intended tooth. Once in place, a
crown, bridge or whole tooth replacement can be fixed
to the implant or implants to feel and function like natural
teeth.
Implants are made from biocompatible materials, which
means they are readily accepted by your body, and with

Dr. Richard J. Anderson
BDS LDS RCS (Eng)
MMedSci

I M P L A N T

proper oral hygiene, can actually last a lifetime.
Importantly, implants counteract the bone loss which can
lead to wrinkled lips and a sunken mouth and chin. Dental
implants actually stimulate bone growth, helping you to
maintain a youthful appearance.
Using implants as a foundation for a bridge or crown
is minimally invasive because there is no need to grind
down other healthy adjacent teeth. Employing the very
latest All-on-4™ technology, you can even have your
brand new smile in just one day!
Dental implants have been used successfully for over 40
years. They provide stability and comfort with no need
for adjustment after placement.

Smiles while you sleep
For particularly anxious patients we also offer a unique,
leading-edge cosmetic dental solution. We provide dental
implant treatment under general anaesthetic, allowing
you to ‘go to sleep’ and wake up with a brand new smile.
Based at leading cosmetic hospital, the Claremont, in
Sheffield, the Dream Implant Clinic delivers a truly worldclass experience at every step of the patient journey.

There comes a time in our lives when everyday
tasks become a little harder than they used to
be. Bathing is one of those, and may no longer
be an enjoyable experience. If that is the case
for you, then maybe it is time to consider
changing the facilities you use.

There are so many benefits to having a shower;
it is refreshing, it is quick and for most of us it is
easy. However that is not the case for everyone.
General difficulties include standing up whilst
showering and getting in and out of the bath
which could lead to a risk of slipping and
possible injury.
With our shower cubicles, light weight sliding
doors, fitted seats and low lip shower trays, we
address all the main problems many of us have.

Unique Wetroom Design
Enjoy a Relaxing Bath
Livsol have a full range of easy access baths in a
verity of styles and sizes. If you find it hard
getting in and out of your current bath tub,
then this maybe the thing for you. Whether you
want to sit or lay down, the British
manufactured units will certainly
meet the highest of expectations.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

In some cases, a wetroom is required to make
bathing easy. With contemporary design and
user-friendly facilities, Livsol can install the
perfect wetroom meeting all your requirements.
From easy access shower units to aesthetically
pleasing tiling, we take everything into
consideration when designing your unique
wetroom.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Make your bathing experience that much more
enjoyable with a walk-in bath or easily accessible shower
Livsol is part of Livsol Ltd. Please visit www.livsol.co.uk for more information

For a brochure please return this slip to the FREEPOST address provided

For a brochure
please call FREE on

Title

Phone the team
Book a FREE
consultation
Professional and
quick installation
After sales service
to make sure you
are satisfied

FREEPOST RTCC-BZUG-LZAS
Livsol,

Full Name

92 Rolleston Drive,

Address

Arnold, Nottinghamshire,

0800
123 4567
www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

NG5 7JP
Postcode

Tel No.
D5PSY2

35

36

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

www.50plusmagazine.co.uk

37

Bereavement Services are continually monitoring and improving
the facilities and the services offered to the public. The staff are
committed to ensuring that each funeral is carried out in a caring
and dignified manner and each funeral service is attended by a
Bereavement Officer.
The grounds of the cemeteries and crematoria are open every day,
including Sundays and Bank Holidays and the opening times are
displayed in prominent positions at the entrances to our facilities.

City Road Crematorium
City Road, Sheffield, S2 1GD

Please contact either your chosen
Funeral Director or Bereavement
Services for further advice. If
required, a recording of the funeral
service can be provided for an
additional charge.
All crematoria chapels contain either
pipe or electronic organs if a more
traditional ceremony is required.

Sheffieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s older more traditional
Crematorium opened in 1905 and is
situated within the grounds of City
Road Cemetery which opened in 1881.
There are two chapels for cremation
services and facilities include induction
loop for the hearing impaired, braille
and large print service booklets,
wheelchair availability and disabled
toilets and access.

Gardens of Remembrance
adjoining Hutcliffe Wood
Crematorium

The Gardens are attractive and
peaceful and extend for 9 acres. Whilst
the majority of the area is structured
and formal there are a variety of trees,
flowers and a more informal perimeter
which attracts wildlife.

Following a funeral, relatives often
find great comfort in being able to
remember their loved one in some
way. Choosing the most appropriate
memorial can be difficult. Bereavement
Services offer a wide choice of
commemorative memorials.

This crematorium opened in 1974 and
has one chapel available for cremation
services. Facilities include induction
loop for hearing impaired, braille and
large print service booklets, wheelchair
availability, disabled toilets and stairlift
to the exit of the chapel.

Musical Arrangements for
Cremation Services

An extensive range of recorded music
is available at both crematoria to
accompany services.

Books of Remembrance

Books of Remembrance are displayed
at both Hutcliffe Wood Hall of
Remembrance and the Remembrance
Room at City Road Cemetery. The
books are handcrafted and inscribed
by a professional calligrapher with an
appropriate inscription of your choice.

Leather Memorial Panels

The panels are covered in dark
blue leather and contained within a
decorative oak frame. The chosen
inscription is in gold leaf.

Memorial Wall Niches
The niches are contained within a
granite memorial wall situated within
the formal areas of the gardens. The
niches are large enough to accept
two caskets of cremated remains. The
covering plate can be inscribed with
your chosen inscription, along with an
emblem or photograph if required.

Bronze Memorial Plaques

For a more traditional memorial to a
loved one, a wall or kerb plaque may
be more appropriate. The plaques are
cast in bronze to a high standard.

Memorial Mushroom
Plaques

Memorial plaques which are placed
on a granite memorial mushroom.
The mushrooms have been sited
under trees and are surrounded by
bark wood chippings to create a more
natural area.

Memorial Vase Block

Granite vase blocks surrounding an
ornamental tree are available in the
Gardens of Remembrance. The granite
tablet is inscribed and can include an
emblem or photograph. The vase block
includes a flower posy vase for floral
tributes.

Arboria Plaques

The plaques are made from natural
timber and placed within a metal
frame. Plaques are available within the
Room of Remembrance at City Road
Cemetery.

Bereavement Services
Helping our Birds and
Wildlife

You can help the wildlife at the Gardens
of Remembrance by sponsoring a bird
or bat box in memory of a loved one.
For further information and advice
on the memorials available, please
contact the staff on the telephone
number below.

Cemeteries

Cremated Remains Graves

These are smaller graves for the
purpose of burying cremated remains
only. The graves are available at
the majority of cemeteries with the
exception of Burngreave, Darnall and
Norton.

Grave Leases

The Exclusive Right of Burial on all
new graves can be leased for 30, 50
or 90 years if required. Leases can be
renewed at the expiry date.

Woodland Burial Ground. A further
area has also been allocated for the
strewing of cremated remains.

Memorial Safety

Creating a safer environment
within our Cemeteries
Sheffield City Council are committed to
providing a safe environment for those
visiting and working in our cemeteries.

To comply with current guidelines
issued by Health & Safety Executive
(HSE) we are required to survey
Expired Grave Leases
every headstone in all our sixteen
Abbey Lane, Beighton, Burncross,
From February 1959, the Exclusive
cemeteries (see list on this page) to
Burngreave, City Road, Crookes,
Right of Burial on all new graves were
ensure that these remain in a safe and
Darnall, Ecclesfield, Handsworth,
leased for 40 years. Since February
stable condition and do not pose any
Intake, Norton, Shiregreen,
1999, these leases have been expiring.
immediate danger to visitors and staff
Stocksbridge, Tinsley Park, Wisewood If you are the registered owner to the
working in the cemeteries.
and Woodhouse.
Rights of a grave which the lease has
expired, please contact Bereavement
The guidelines from the HSE have
There are 5 cemetery chapels
Services for advice.
been issued to all burial authorities
available for services prior to interment.
following a number of deaths and
Chapels are available at City Road,
serious injuries in the United Kingdom
Crookes, Abbey Lane, Shiregreen and
over the last 5 years in cemeteries
Tinsley Park cemeteries.
caused by falling headstones.
The following cemeteries are managed
by Bereavement Services:

An extensive range of recorded music
is available and arrangements can be
made for personal tapes and CDs to
be played at the service.

New Graves

New graves are available at the
majority of cemeteries with the
exception of Burngreave, Darnall and
Norton.

Existing Family Graves

Existing graves can be re-opened to
allow further interments providing the
written authority of the present owner
of the rights to the grave is obtained.

Wisewood Woodland Burial
Ground
An area has been set aside within
Wisewood Cemetery for woodland
burials. Instead of a traditional
headstone, a native species tree
is planted on the grave which will
eventually create a woodland and
encourage wildlife into the area. It is
possible to purchase full graves and
cremated remains plots within the

From January 2002, a team of
Memorial Safety Operatives have been
surveying headstones in the sixteen
cemeteries. Approximately 350,000
memorials are contained within the
350 acres of cemetery grounds.
Please ensure that we always have
current contact details on record
should we need to get in touch.

For further advice, please feel
free to contact a member of the
Memorial Safety Operative team
on the number below.

Staff are available to offer confidential advice and assistance on any of the services
mentioned in this article by contacting:

Local mobility specialists
Clark & Partners Ltd have
been established for
over 50 years, and are
a well-known and trusted
name in mobility.

Care &
Comfort

The winter months are when
we tend to stay indoors
more, spending time with our
loved ones, and this is often
the time of year when their
needs become apparent.
Getting the right chair for
your relative is very important,
as the health benefits and
improvements to quality of
life can be astonishing.

The perfect choice
for your loved one...

Our amazing range of
specialist comfort chairs are
designed to achieve the
perfect seating position for
your relative, giving maximum
comfort and pressure relief.
We work closely with relatives
and Healthcare Professionals
should your loved one live in
residential care. With a wide
range of chairs available for
trial, you can speak to our
Trained Advisors to arrange
a free assessment to find the
right chair to suit your needs.

There are 8 Clark & Partners
stores across Yorkshire and
the Midlands, with 6 stores
located in South Yorkshire
including our new store at
Gleadless. The new store
has an extensive product
range and excellent
parking facilities so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
convenient and easy for
customers.
We can supply everything
from large mobility vehicles
to specialist chairs and
footwear, and smaller daily
living aids such as kettle
tippers and grab rails to help
make life that bit easier.
Products can be purchased
in store, via our mail order
catalogue or online at:
www.clarkandpartners.co.uk
Simply call us today on
0114 229 3391 to book
your FREE no obligation
assessment.
Clark & Partners are open: